ATLANTA -

In what officials contend is a first by a major third-party automotive classified website, AutoTrader.com is launching a new feature that will alert vehicle shoppers via text or email when there are updates to saved vehicle listings or searches.

Officials highlighted that when shoppers save a search or vehicle listing to their My AutoTrader account, the new alerts feature can give the option of receiving a text and/or email when the price is reduced, a special offer is added or new inventory is added.

AutoTrader also mentioned the email alerts can also display images of actual inventory that matches his or her saved search or vehicle.

The alerts are geared to go out on a once-daily basis, and the feature is active on all of the more than 3 million listings on AutoTrader.com from both dealers and private sellers.

“We’re always looking for ways to make car buying and selling easier for both consumers and our customers, and this new feature is a great example of that focus,” said Steve Greenfield, vice president of product management at AutoTrader.com.

“Alerts allow us to meet the needs of today’s sellers, who want to make sure that interested shoppers are aware of the vehicles and incentives offered, and today’s shoppers who are looking for more of a personal experience,” Greenfield continued.

Vehicle shopping is becoming an increasingly on-demand process, according to AutoTrader.com’s recent Multi-Device Car Shopping Study

“Found time” was said to be the top motivator for engaging in a vehicle shopping activity, and in a typical week those surveyed indicated that three out of four of their vehicle shopping activities were spontaneous and not planned.

The combined use of PCs, mobile devices and tablets in the car shopping process is also on the rise. AutoTrader.com predicts that 52 percent of all vehicle shopping will be done on multiple devices within the next five years.

The new alerts feature is available now on AutoTrader.com.

To sign up, shoppers need to register for a My AutoTrader account, then opt-in to receive alerts once they save a search and/or a vehicle. Shoppers have the choice of receiving only emails, only texts or both.

For more information, visit AutoTrader.com/myATC.

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